Fred the answer is, unfortunately, no. I didn't have the bolts lubed. Will I remember to do it for subsequent builds? -> You bet your sweet a**!!!
In hindsight, common sense should have lubed the threads. But I didn't. A learning experience, but potentially a costly and disasterous way to learn.
This whole thing has me re-thinking the small block again, but I don't give up quite THAT easy.
-ftyler
